22 Jesus went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and traveling on to Jerusalem. 23 One said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?”

He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in, and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets, in God’s Kingdom, and yourselves being thrown outside. 29 They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in God’s Kingdom. 30 Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”

Luke 13:22-30 - World English Bible

Are the few saved? That reminds me of an old joke, “Jesus loves you, but I'm his favorite.” Of course, that smacks of exclusivity; my buddies and I are saved, the rest of you are lost. At it's root, however, lies a far more serious question: what is the nature of God's assembly?

Jesus answered by rejecting exclusivity. Salvation was not a matter of birthright. He continued with the image of the narrow door and the parable of the closed household. Cities built narrow doors (actually short in height) to deny attackers on horseback; one had to dismount and lead the horse into the city. So, one could not take heaven by force; it was a gift. The parable presented a patriarch who denied admittance to those who did not have a relationship with him. A simple acquaintance was not enough. Salvation demanded intimacy that even the Gentiles could have by faith. God meant his Kingdom for all, but with a caveat: a living faith.

God assembled both saints and sinners for his Kingdom. He didn't desire just self-proclaimed “favorites” but anyone humble enough to receive his grace with gratitude.

How do you thank God for his grace in your life?